nyc with 11 year old boy who is glued to the food channel

[mless]

Looking for a really good and different (maybe fun) place to take an 11 year old who really knows a lot about food and can handle himself in a restaurant situation. Not looking to spend 150 pp for food, but not necessarily looking for really low budget either.

[mattstolz]

i would definitely suggest a trip to chelsea market. the food network has shows there all the time, he will probably recognize areas that he has seen. i woulda also suggest the restaurants owned by food network chefs, as well as other places the food network loves to talk about (Batali, Morimoto, Flay, Zacharian, and Forgione all have restos there, several places featured by shows like Throwdown, Unique Eats, etc are in manhattan, jaques torres has several shops in manhattan...) for shows like Unique Eats you can look on the cooking channel website to see which place have been featured and where. these would all be places i know he'd enjoy!

also, i think that any 11 year old would love a trip to Max Brenner. desserts there are so fun and creative!

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Max Brenner
841 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

[princeofpork]

Why not sit at the pass at Hearth and the the kitchen in full action?

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Hearth
403 East 12th Street, New York, NY 10009

[Pan]

When's the last time you ate at Hearth? I ask because I was underwhelmed when I ate there recently, after having previously liked their food very much. And the service was very slow both of the last two times I was there.

[Mike C. Miller]

I'd almost break the trip down by categories. Street food (Washington Square Dosa Cart, a quick hot dog while walking, etc.); less expensive but very good, upscale, etc. Break up the number of days you have a hit some out of each category.

As to the individual places, I really like Eleven Madison Park. You just can't go wrong there. Lunch is probably best. But he will love it. Craft is a not a bad choice, as you can easily share dishes.

Also lunch in the front room of Gramercy Tavern is a good idea. They have a wood burning stove that is easily visible from the dining room and the cooks are very tolerant of those who stand and observe. It's absolutely fascinating to watch for a five or ten minutes after you've finished you lunch. They welcome questions about how this or that dish was done.

Also love the suggestion of the Union Square Green Market.

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Union Square Greenmarket
Broadway and E 17th St, New York, NY 10003

Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

Craft
43 E. 19th St., New York, NY 10003

New York Dosas
Washington Sq S and Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012

[mless]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Wait until he reads these!!!

[sgordon]

Don't know how I forgot to mention it, though I was probably mostly thinking of TV Chefs... but WD-50 can be a great culinary experience for a youngster, especially if they're into science at all. Dufresne is actually in the kitchen on most nights, and it's fully open so you can watch what they're doing - they'll even arrange a little mini-tour when they've got a free moment, or you could possibly set something up in advance by calling them, maybe time a little show between entrees and dessert. Dufresne has a bit of "big kid" in him, and I've seen him talking to kids back there and he seems genuinely excited to show them things. I think he also understands what might be more exciting to a kid (i.e. liquid nitrogen, flashy things like that) versus adults (sous vide machines, etc) when they do the little tours.

Of course, the danger is getting home and your little man is now begging for a tank of liquid nitro for his birthday or something...

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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

[nmprisons]

This is a very good suggestion. He would have a "blast."

[mless]

As it turns out, I already had reservations one night at WD-50 but haven't been there on any trip before. Sounds perfect. Thanks for the advice; I will call back tomorrow to see if the chef will be in the kitchen that night. Thanks for all the great suggestions. I am sure he (Andrew) will be a part of these discussions in the near future!

[Motosport]

Nougatine has a very nice fixed price menu that is $78. or close to it.

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Nougatine
1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023

[Silverjay]

How about sitting at the counter at Inakaya or Robataya? These are two robata-yaki style Japanese restaurants with a lot of performance and interactivity. The cuisine itself emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients and all cooking is done right in front of you. It's a traditional style of cooking in Japan.

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Inakaya
620 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018

Robataya NY
231 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003

[foodwhisperer]

Robataya is a great choice if they sit at the counter , for sure. Food Channel watcher or not, the kid is eleven, a bit of fun would make the meal nice. Some of the suggestions for a kid are a little too sophisticated, expensive, stuffy, and not fun. Robataya, Eataly, maybe even Ninja.

[pauliface]

Or sit at the counter at Sugiyama. There, the chef is preparing foods in a lot of different ways. Raw, broiled, simmered, fried. And you can see it all there in front of you.

I'd also recommend WD-50. Molecular gastronomy might be really fun for him.

Or, as others have said, EMP since it is just so sublime.

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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Sugiyama
251 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

[InfoMofo]

My foodie niece loved Eataly, momofuku milk bar, and the Union Square greenmarket.

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Union Square Greenmarket
Broadway and E 17th St, New York, NY 10003

Momofuku Milk Bar
251 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

[lulumoolah]

Perhaps Basta Pasta which is Italian done with a sort of Japanese influence or Boqueria for tapas. I've known people to take their kids to Basta Pasta. I did see kids once at Boqueria (though I think it's due to the fact I tend to go late) but I recommend going earlier in the day or evening as it can get pretty packed.

Also, one of the Momofuku restaurants and Chikalicious or Momofuku Milk Bar for dessert. Actually, I think the Momofuku Milk Bar would be fun food-wise for him - the breakfast flavors as dessert.

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Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Boqueria
53 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

Basta Pasta
37 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

ChikaLicious
203 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003

Momofuku Milk Bar
251 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

[foodwhisperer]

ooooh, I love Chikalicious!

[Chuck Lawrence]

I love this thread!

Mario is very responsive to his twitter account (@Mariobatali) - why don't you (or the young man) bring him into this discussion? You never know!

If it was me, I'd take the boy to Craft.

Wherever you go, consider bringing your guest's enthusiasm to the restaurant's attention in advance. Perhaps a meet and greet with the chef is in order.

Please report back!

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Craft
43 E. 19th St., New York, NY 10003

[nmprisons]

Had a (second) dinner there Saturday after Tocqueville and, as usually, was really impressed. Can't go wrong with Craft (though it can get a bit pricey).

Though they just changed pastry chefs, the pastry department is still firing on all cylinders.

[mless]

Wish I knew how to twitter. Have acct but computer challenged. Great idea though.

[Chuck Lawrence]

It's easy, millions do it! Type your little message into the "what's happening" box and include @Mariobatali. He'll see it. You can also search Mario Batali, and follow his account. He is very informative, and a hoot!
Speaking of Mario, perhaps you and your guest would enjoy Casa Mono. Or keeping the Spanish in NYC theme - Tertulia. Lots of gastronomy to explore there.

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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Tertulia
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[michele cindy]

Since you are doing this for the kid, I would ask him who his favorite chef is on the Food Network. If it's one that has a restaurant in the city, i.e. Bobby Flay, (Bar Americain etc.) take him to that spot. There may be better choices, yes, but it might be fun for the kid going to a place like that. http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/08-...

[hyde]

this is probably a better idea. my recs were based on interesting food or classics that you might not be able to get elsewhere. my first pastrami sandwiches at the carnegie deli and the 2nd ave deli ( i was probably slightly older) i still remember.

that was 40 years ago.

[Miss Needle]

That and a trip to Chelsea Market should not be missed. Food Network's headquarters are based there. Ran into Cat Cora one day while she was still in Iron Chef America's uniform as they must have been taping. Even if he doesn't see any food celebrities, Chelsea Market has a bunch of bakeries, food related stores and restaurants to keep the kid occupied. A few celebrity chefs also have restaurants near the market -- Morimoto, Colicchio, Batali, Jean-Georges to name a few.

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Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Morimoto
88 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Spice Market
403 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014

Colicchio & Sons
85 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[mless]

He would be so excited to see one of the Iron Chefs! Morimoto and Derek Jeter in one trip would be his dream. When I say he knows food, he really does...talks about the firmness of one fish flesh vs another. Kind of crazy but fun. Thanks for all the suggestions. I do think I will let him choose.

[sgordon]

Morimoto doesn't spend too much time at his restaurant - when he's in town doing FN tapings he'll pop by, but he's fairly busy what with restos here, Philly, Japan, Hawaii...

That said, it's a fun place, and not as expensive as some might think. The price points are all over the map - you could have a relatively cheap meal, or go pretty extravagant if you choose. Granted, most fo the cheaper dishes are the less exciting ones, but there are some fun things you could order. Stay away from the sushi (it isn't bad, just average) and go with the composed dishes. For a kid, the tuna pizza could be a good appetizer (and for you - the oysters foie gras...)

Right across the street is Del Posto, Batali's fanciest place, which has arguably the best lunch deal in town of any four-star place. $29 for three courses, or $39 for four (a "proper" Italian meal, with antipasti, pasta, entree and dessert - the three course you choose either pasta or entree)

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Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Morimoto
88 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

[mless]

Great idea!

[AubWah]

He would love Chinatown! Take him to Great NY Noodletown for Singapore Chow Fun and Roast Duck! Maybe just take the meat off the bone for him with the duck!

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Great New York Noodletown
28 Bowery, New York, NY 10013

[Jane A.]

While some of these suggestions are excellent, I would also give the kid a budget, this website, and also menupages.com (where he can search by ingredients and dishes) and perhaps also directions about neighborhoods you prefer, and let him participate in the preparation of a list of possibilities which you can then explore and discuss together. He might find it a lot of fun and the two of you might enjoy the activity enormously.

[hyde]

Kalustans, Eisenbergs sandwich, Xi'an famous foods, great NY noodletown, johns pizza on bleeker. Katz's deli.

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Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Kalustyan's
123 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

Great New York Noodletown
28 Bowery, New York, NY 10013

Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop
174 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

John's Pizzeria
278 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Xi'an Famous Foods
81 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003

Xi'an Famous Foods
67 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

[Monica]

Otto sounds like a good place...Mario Batali, pizza...gelato...pasta....kids friendly.

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Otto
1 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[gutsofsteel]

I don't think the OP is looking for a "kid friendly" place with pizza.....he said the kid knows a lot about food and can handle himself in a restaurant.

I have taken children to lunch at Eleven Madison Park. It has been wonderful every time. A huge, huge treat for a "foodie" kid who knows how to behave in a restaurant. The staff could not be friendlier toward the children. And it's an experience the 11 year old will never forget.

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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

[Monica]

Otto is not a hole in a wall place that serves pizza...it is a great restaurant that has Mario Batali's name(since the kid is glued to food channels) on it that serves good food.

I also recommend Tocqueville. On my recent visit, I saw two tables with teenagers. Loved their food and service. Their lunch is a steal.

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Tocqueville
1 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

Otto
1 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[nmprisons]

Had dinner at Tocqueville on Saturday and it was about what you spend for the 4-course at EMP and not nearly as good. Both are probably a bit out of OPs budget (assuming dinner).

[NYCKim]

Agreed, Monica. Otto is a very adult place. Bustling and loud with an extensive and ecletic Italian wine list. That 11 year old may likely wonder why the ADULTS can't handle themselves in a restaurant. ;)
If you have not been there the idea of pizza may sound juvenile, But here it is a bonafide course. They have a great selction of artisan ingredients of most of the pizzas.

But the Must-Have item there is the olive oil gelato dessert. I dreamt about it for 3 nights after having it. It is that good. It will also further stimulate this young man's culinary imagination. I think Otto presents the perfect combination of low key with high standards. Bonus: You'll be on 8th St. in the Village where are the cool hip teens are hanging out!

Also consider a different place that has an open kitchen where he can watch the action live!

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Otto
1 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

A few weeks ago, we met a 15 yr old who was working/helping out in the EMP kitchen, after having already cooked through the entire EMP cookbook. Chef Humm seems very welcoming of aspiring chefs!

[foodwhisperer]

I second Otto, or perhaps Eataly which can be fun with all the assorment of places to try some different food, since the kid would have heard of Mario Batali that would make it more special